Bishops support Heidi Mendoza

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MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) - Catholic bishops have expressed support to whistleblower Heidi Mendoza, the former state auditor who testified in the House on Tuesday that she was asked by a government agency to go easy on former military comptroller Carlos Garcia, who is accused of plunder.

Twenty bishops have signed a one-page manifesto backing Mendoza and other whistleblowers in opposing the plea bargain agreement made by the Office of the Ombudsman and Garcia, as well as other instances of corruption, reported the CBCP News in its website.

The bishops also singled out former Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo, former Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa-Ignacio, and retired Lt. Col. George Rabusa for their “lay leadership” in the fight against corruption.

“As bishops, we support and encourage such people. We are with Mendoza in speaking out against abuse of office that impoverishes the people and harm the common good,” said the bishops.

They also cited the media and lawmakers for not giving up on seeking the truth regarding the matter.

“This is an opportunity for us to get our acts together inspired by courageous men and women who stand up for the truth for the good of our nation,” the bishops said.

In the manifesto, the bishops asked President Benigno Aquino III and the Sandiganbayan to continue reviewing and investigating the controversial plea bargain agreement.

“We implore his Excellency, Benigno Aquino III, to critically review the decision of the Ombudsman in the plunder chargers against Garcia. We likewise call on the Sandiganbayan to pursue the case in the interest of transparency and restoration of public trust,” the bishops said.

The manifesto was signed by the following bishops:

Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma
Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Manila
Auxiliary Bishop Bernardino Cortez of Manila
Auxiliary Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of Jaro
Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo of Cotabato
Bishop Romulo dela Cruz of Kidapawan
Bishop Edgardo Juanich of Taytay
Bishop Emmanuel Trance of Catarman
Bishop Artemio Rillera of La Union
Auxiliary Bishop Roberto Mallari of San Fernando
Bishop Joseph Nacua of Ilagan
Bishop Rolando Tirona of Infanta
Bishop Marlo Peralta of Alaminos
Bishop Crispin Varquez of Borongan
Bishop Martin Jumoad of Basilan
Bishop Joel Baylon of Legaspi
Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez of Caloocan
Bishop Antonio Tobias of Novaliches
Bishop Arturo Bastes of Sorsogon, and
Bishop Rodolfo Beltran of Bontoc-Lagawe


source: abs-cbnnews.com